Data from University of Oklahoma advance knowledge in thrombocytopenic purpura
2009 JUL 20 - (NewsRx.com) -- "with apparent complete recovery from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) often complain of problems with memory, concentration, and fatigue. Twenty-four patients who were enrolled in the Oklahoma TTP-HUS Registry for their initial episode of TTP, 1995-2006, and who had ADAMTS13 activity of less than 10 percent were evaluated for a broad range of cognitive functions 0.1 to 10.6 years (median, 4.0 years) after their most recent episode," scientists writing in the journal Transfusion report. "At the time of their evaluation, they had normal physical and Mini-Mental State Examinations and no evidence of TTP. The patients, as a group, performed significantly worse on 4 of the 11 cognitive domains tested than standardized US data from neurologically normal individuals adjusted for age, sex, and education (p < 0.05). These four domains measured complex attention and concentration skills, information processing speed, rapid language generation, and rote memorization. Twenty-one (88%) patients performed below expectations on at least 1 of the 11 domains. No clear patterns were observed between cognitive test results and patients' characteristics or features of the preceding TTP, including age, occurrence of severe neurologic abnormalities, multiple episodes, and interval from an acute episode. who have recovered from TTP may have persistent cognitive abnormalities. The abnormalities observed in these patients are characteristic of disorders associated with diffuse subcortical microvascular disease," wrote A.S. Kennedy and colleagues, University of Oklahoma. The researchers concluded: "Studies of larger patient groups will be required to confirm these preliminary observations and to determine patient characteristics that may contribute to persistent cognitive abnormalities.." Kennedy and colleagues published their study in Transfusion (Cognitive deficits after recovery from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Transfusion, 2009;49(6):1092-1101). Additional information can be obtained by contacting J.N. George, University of Oklahoma, Health Science Center, Dept. of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, College Public Health, Room CHB 358, POB 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73126, USA. The publisher of the journal Transfusion can be contacted at: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc., Commerce Place, 350 Main St., Malden 02148, MA, USA. Keywords: United States, Oklahoma City, Blood Transfusion, Fatigue, Hematology, Medical Device, Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Transfusion Medicine, University of Oklahoma. This article was prepared by Hematology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Hematology Week via NewsRx.com.
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